Wilson At Helm Of Humane Society

Thunder Bay's Humane Society will be run by its former President Glen Wilson.  Wilson says he's holding down the fort after Executive Director Maryanne Klynendorst stepped down.  Wilson wants to provide the best service for the animals at the best lowest cost.  Wilson signed a one year part time contract. 

Applebee's Undergoing Renos In April

Applebee's is undergoing three weeks of renovations starting April 8th.  Manager Ryan Syroid says it was high time for a fresh look.  During renovations the restaurant will be closed.

Hospital Adapting To New Funding Policies

Officials at the regional hospital are relieved now that cataract surgeries are taking place again.  However spokesperson Lori Marshall says the whole spectacle of the facility cancelling then reversing the decision was a valuable lesson  about new government funding policies. She says they are now in a new era of  funding and they are continuing to learn more and more all the time about how that will unfold into the future.  Marshall says the procedures were reinstated  because the local health authority and the Health Ministry managed to find the money to fund them for the rest of the budget year.

Snowmobiler Found Safe

A missing snowmobiler is safe and sound after OPP helped rescue him from Lake of the Woods.   The man called 911 after his snowmobile got stuck in snow and slush but couldn't tell them his exact location.  A helicopter flew over and found a fire on Bigsby Island where they found him cold but in good health.

OPP Crack Down On Drunk Driving

OPP continue to crack down on drinking and driving.  Over the last couple of days they've conducted RIDE Checks and nabbed two regional residents with impaired driving.

Today Marks Save The ELA Day

Today marks Save The Experimental Lakes Area Day across the region.  Dryden and Sioux Lookout have made the declaration and the Legion in Sioux Lookout will play host for an information session tonight at 7 o'clock.  S.L. Organizer Anne Saltel encourages anyone who's concerned about the water-research facility to come out.  Kenora Organizer Peter Kirby says morale at the ELA isn't very good right now.  Kirby says Canada has given notice to Ontario that it wishes to terminate the agreement between the two levels of government effective September 2013.

Sousa Asks For MPAC Review

The Ontario government is promising to review a decision by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to order the town of Espanola to repay four million dollars in taxes to Domtar. Finance Minister Charles Sousa says he's asked officials to look into the situation, which is also happening in other northern communities. The New Democrats want Sousa to freeze the tax assessment decisions until the review is completed.

Fort Frances To Pay Off Mill Tax Rebate

The town of Fort Frances won't be putting any money in reserves this year. The million dollars it had set aside, will now go toward off-setting the $1.7 tax rebate to Resolute Forest Products. The town had already set aside $575,000 towards the company's assessment appeal.

Red Lake Scam

An old scam has hit the Red Lake area. A number of residents have been contacted by someone claiming to be from Microsoft, requesting personal information. O.P.P. say it's a scam, and the public is reminded to never ever give out personal information to someone you don't know over the phone.

Matawa Teams Up With Noront & College

Matawa First Nation is teaming up with mining company Noront Resources and Confederation College.  Matawa Spokesperson Morris Wapoose says they've signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will reinforce a commitment to work with each other on mining training.  Wapoose feels its important to properly train area First Nations so they can take part in the mining boom in the Ring of Fire.

Council Waits To Repair Pools

City Council is holding off on repairs at the Heath Park Pool.  City Staff will be studying what needs to be done to fix the pools and how the City can help pay for those repairs.  Facilities General Manager Michael Smith says area outdoor pools need plenty of work up to half a million dollars.  The outdoor pools are expected to open this summer without the repairs.

2013 Budget Ratified

The 2013 City budget is in the books.  Property taxes will go up 2.6 percent this year. City Councillor Rebecca Johnson feels the tax increase is too much.  She adds its one of the only budget meetings during her time on Council that went extremely fast.  The 6:30 meeting wrapped up by 7:20.

2013 Scout's Canada Awards

City Hall was the location for the 2013 Scout's Canada Award Ceremony.  Chief Scout's Award recipients include Declan Biloski, Cassandra Burdick, Marshall Clark, Brady Lysmo, Autumn Mielke and Kevin Skomoroh.  Queen's Venturer Awards went to Paul Bielski, Colton Burdick, Nathan and Timothy Ehn, Allan and Andrew McCutcheon and Tara Rooney. The Medal of the Maple for Distinguished Youth Service went to Nathan and Timothy Ehn.

Search Turns Up Drugs

Thunder Bay Police are charging a 54 year old man with a variety of offenses after they searched a West Frederica Street home.  Police seized money, 27 Oxycodone tablets, morphine and Ritalin.   The man is charged with proceeds of crime, and drug trafficking.

Board Budget Process Begins

It's that time of year again as public school board trustees get down to the business of budget deliberations.   Director of Education Cathi Siemieiuk says there shouldn't be anything controversial like school closures on the horizon, but that all depends on how much government money comes their way.   They won't find that out until next month.  Tuesday evening trustees will set up a budget committee to begin the review.

More Info Comes To Light In 2009 Murder

City Police are charging a second person in connection to the 2009 death of Edgar Marion.  They say that 23 year old Samantha Drake is facing Accessory to Murder after the fact in connection with Marion's death.  Staff Sergeant Derek West says the investigation continued over the years and new information came to light just recently.   His remains were found in a burned out car in the Shuniah Mines.  Another person is already charged with Marion's murder.

Snow Coming To Region

Travellers headed West will want to use caution when driving. A snowstorm is expected to move in from North Dakota and is expected to bring as much as 10 centimetres of snow to Fort Frances, Rainy River and Emo. The system is expected to hit later tonight and taper off by tomorrow.

L.U. Creates Centre Of Excellence For Mining

Lakehead University is officially launching its Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining and Exploration. It's designed to encourage and support research, education and outreach activities regarding the nature and impacts of mineral resource exploration and extraction particularly in Northern Ontario. The Centre's three pillars will include mining and exploration, environmental impact and will collaborate with First Nation, Metis and local communities within the region.

N.A.N. Addresses FASD

N.A.N. Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler says the government's inaction over the issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder will cause irreversible damage to future generations. Fiddler says that FASD is an issue faced by all N.A.N. communities, and that it is unacceptable that the region's children most affected by it are ignored. He also states that the only N.A.N. children who receive proper care for FASD are those in foster care or involved in the criminal justice system.

Pigeon River Border Update

Border officials are releasing their latest statistics. Officials at Pigeon River saw a 3.5% increase in travellers and a 6% increase in vehicle traffic compared to January of last year. Officials also processed almost 600 commercial drivers. They continue to remain alert for smuggled goods passing through Pigeon River. As of the latest release, only four of just over 1000 vehicle inspections yielded smuggled goods, including an All Terrain Vehicle worth $4,500. Three people were also barred from immigration at the Pigeon River border due to invalid paperwork and criminal records.